The Paella Spots in Seville that Locals Love

If thereā€™s one food many visitors to Spain immediately seek out, itā€™s paella. However, the iconic rice-based dish isnā€™t as common throughout the peninsula as many tourists seem to think. In fact, itā€™s more of a regional specialty that hails from the city of Valencia on Spainā€™s east coast.

Outside of Valencia, many restaurants hawking paella are unfortunately tourist traps quickly reheating frozen rice (the good stuff takes time to cook!). Luckily, itĀ isĀ possible to find delicious, authentic paella in Seville, as well as other lesser-known Spanish rice dishes.

Hereā€™s where to enjoy paella and rice like a local in Seville!

Small paella dish with seafood and shrimp on a table top with white dining cloth
Looking for paella in Seville? Weā€™ve got you covered. Photo credit: Young Shih

A quick primer on Spanish rice dishes

Thereā€™s a lot more to Spanish rice than just paella in Seville. Here are a few more incredible Spanish rice dishes to look out forā€”consider giving one of them a try!

  • Paella: A Spanish rice dish traditionally made with chicken, rabbit, beans and occasionally snails, though now many recipes use seafood. Short-grain rice is cooked in a large pan in a thin layer, with a crispy, caramelized layer on the bottom called socarrat. All of the liquid is cooked out, making the end result on the drier side.
  • Arroz caldoso: Where paella is dry, arroz caldoso is almost soupyā€”the name translates to ā€œbrothy rice.ā€ Itā€™s cooked in a deeper pan than paella and can be made with meat, seafood, veggies, or just about anything else!
  • Arroz con pato: This rice and duck dish is native to the province of Seville, where the fertile plains between the Guadalquivir River and DoƱana National Park provide ideal conditions for growing rice.
  • Arroz negro: ā€œBlack riceā€ gets its name from the squid ink that the rice is cooked with! Itā€™s usually topped with calamari and shrimp which provide a stark contrast to the dark color of the rice.
  • Arroz a banda: A rice and seafood dish from Valencia, in which both components are cooked together and then served separately.
Seafood paella
Seafood paella served in its typical wide, flat pan.

Where to eat amazing paella in Seville

La Paella Sevilla

Owned and operated by a Valencian family, La Paella Sevilla is home of the most authentic paella in Seville. Their menu is small, but that just guarantees that everything will be prepared to perfection.

In addition to delicious paella, they also serve up some lesser-known (at least among visitors) but equally delicious dishes such asĀ arroz a bandaĀ andĀ fideuĆ Ā (think paella but with noodles instead of rice!).

For the best paella in Seville (and more!), we recommend La Paella Sevilla. Try their fideuĆ , too!
Switch things up and try some fideuĆ ā€”paellaā€™s noodle-based cousin!

Lā€™Albufera

Youā€™ll have to hike a little ways away from the city center to get to Lā€™Albufera, but the trek is well worth it.

Named for the lake region near Valencia where paella was born, this fabulous restaurant is a local favorite for paella in Seville. They offer more than 30 varieties of paella and other authentic Valencian rice dishes, all served in generous portions in the cast-iron skillet it was cooked in. The prices are practically unbeatable for the quality as well.

To minimize your wait time, be sure to call ahead and order your paella in advance so it will be ready when you arrive.

L'Albufera is home to some of the best paella in Seville and more delicious rice dishes as well!
You canā€™t go wrong with any of the fabulous rice dishes at Lā€™Albufera!

El 3 de Oro

Since 1917, El 3 de Oro has served up both traditional Andalusian dishes as well as some of the best paella in Seville. Its traditional, old-world decor prove that not much has changed here in over a century.

All of their dishes are lovingly prepared with fresh, local ingredients for a true farm-to-table experience (or sea-to-table, in the case of their exquisite lobster paella!). However, no matter if you choose a hearty rice dish or some of their delicious, smaller tapas, youā€™re sure to leave happy.

We love the tapas at El 3 de Oro, and they also serve some of the best paella in Seville!
Going out for tapas in Seville is always a good idea!

Otaola

Located just a few blocks to the east of MarĆ­a Luisa Park, Otaola is famous for its artisanal rices and tapas. A true hidden gem in the Porvenir neighborhood, they offer around 30 kinds of excellent quality rice, and you canā€™t really go wrong with anything on the menu. This spot is quite popular among locals in the know, so itā€™s best to call ahead and reserve to make sure you get a spot.

This blog post was originally posted on March 1, 2018, and was updated on October 14, 2022.Ā 

Want to learn how to make authentic paella during your trip? If youā€™re also traveling to Madrid, donā€™t miss our Spanish Cooking Class & Market Visit. Not only will you learn to make a traditional paella, but youā€™ll also learn to make some quintessential tapas, plus a dessert. Join us!

4 Comment

  1. D. Koopmans says
    August 21, 2019 at 10:00 pm

    L albufera, many thanks for this adress perfect. Friendly man from Valencia who leaved hometown for lover from Sevilla

    1. Devour Tours says
      August 26, 2019 at 1:19 pm

      Enjoy it!!

  2. December 18, 2020 at 9:45 am

    So simple and yummy. I love that thereā€™s no weird or hard to find ingredients in these so I can make them all the time!

    1. Devour Tours says
      December 21, 2020 at 10:05 am

      That’s what we like to hear! Happy eating!

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